Table of Contents

(Back Exercise Questions)

Book: The Joy of Reading (Orient Longman)


Short answer questions:

Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.


Q1. What was Jim’s full name?

Ans. Jim's full name was Mr. James Dillingham Young.


Q2. How many times did Della count the money she had saved?

Ans. Della counted the money she had saved three times to be sure of the amount, which was one dollar and eighty-seven cents.


Q3. What did Della’s hair resemble?

Ans. Della's hair resembled a cascade of brown waters, which reached below her knees when let down.


Q4. What were the combs presented by Jim made of?

Ans. The combs presented by Jim were a beautiful set made of pure tortoiseshell with jewelled rims.


Q5. What did Jim suggest to Della after both had lost their precious possessions?

Ans. After both had lost their precious possessions, Jim suggested to Della that they put away their presents for a while, as they were too nice to use at the moment.


Q6. What did Della buy for Jim?

Ans. Della bought Jim a platinum fob chain for his prized watch.


Q7. How did Jim get the money to buy Della a present?

Ans. Jim got the money to buy Della a present by selling his most prized possession, his gold watch.


Long Answer Questions:

Answer the following questions in your own words in about 150 words each.


Q1. Describe the reaction of Jim on seeing Della with short hair.

Ans. Jim’s reaction upon seeing Della with short hair was one of silent shock and disbelief. He stood still, looking at her without saying a word, which frightened Della and made her think he might no longer find her attractive. However, his reaction was not due to anger or disappointment, but rather because he had just sold his prized gold watch to buy her a set of beautiful combs meant for her long hair. The irony of the situation struck him deeply, and he was trying to process it. Despite the initial silence, Jim quickly recovered and reassured Della that he loved her for who she was, not for her hair. His calm, loving response showed his emotional maturity and deep affection for Della. The moment was bittersweet, filled with love and sacrifice, emphasizing that their relationship was built on selfless devotion rather than material possessions.


Q2. Comment on the title of the story.

Ans. The title "The Gift of the Magi" is deeply symbolic and meaningful. The Magi were the three wise men from the East who brought valuable gifts to baby Jesus in the biblical story. In this tale, Jim and Della, though poor, show great wisdom through their selfless love and sacrifice. Each gives up their most treasured possession, Della her hair, and Jim his watch to buy a gift for the other. Though the gifts themselves become useless in a practical sense, the act of giving out of love and sacrifice is what makes them truly wise, like the Magi. The title highlights the story’s theme that true wealth lies in love and generosity, not in material things. By calling them the Magi, the author elevates the couple’s humble sacrifices to something noble and profound, suggesting that they are the wisest gift-givers of all because they gave with pure hearts.